Veterans Affairs

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• General Guidelines

• Veterans Affairs
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Jose Toro
407.708.2242
Fax: 407.708.2029
Sanford/Lake Mary Campus
Room A-104I

General Contact Information

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Benefit Programs and Application Requirements

The application requirements for each VA education benefit program are described below. Most of the forms mentioned are available in Seminole State's Veterans Affairs Office, and many are also available online. Completed application packages must be turned into the College's Veterans Affairs specialist in the Student Services Building, room A-104I, on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. Incomplete packages will not be accepted.

Please note: You must be formally admitted to Seminole State College and accepted to an approved program of study before you can apply for or receive VA education benefits. Visit the Admissions website to learn more about Seminole State's application and enrollment procedures.

Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

This program provides up to 36 months of education benefits to veterans who received an honorable discharge and earned a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to or during the qualifying enlistment period. To be eligible, veterans must also meet the requirements of one of the following categories:

Category I: Veteran entered active duty for the first time after July 1, 1985, served a minimum of two years, and had his or her military pay reduced by $100 per month for the first 12 months as a nonrefundable contribution.

Required Forms:

Category II: Veteran entered active duty before Jan. 1, 1977, served a minimum of one day between Oct. 19, 1984, and June 30, 1985, remained on active duty through June 30, 1988, and has entitlement left from the Vietnam-Era GI Bill (Chapter 34).

Required Forms:

Category III: Veteran was on active duty on Sept. 30, 1990, and transferred his or her Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) benefits before being involuntarily separated after Feb. 2, 1991. Before separation, veteran had his or her military pay reduced by $1,200.

Required Forms:

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program

This program is intended to help veterans with service-connected disabilities obtain and maintain employment (requires a service-connected disability rating). Participants receive payment for required tuition and fees as well as a monthly subsistence allowance.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines VR&E eligibility. Veterans who are interested in participating in this program should contact the Seminole County Veterans' Services Office at 407.665.2370.

Required Forms:

Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill

This program provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible.

Required Forms:

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

This program amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill to include the children of fallen U.S. soldiers who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Eligible children attending school may receive up to the highest public, in-state, undergraduate tuition and fees, plus a monthly stipend for living expenses, books and supplies, for up to 36 months. They may use the benefit between the ages of 18 and 33.

Required Forms:

Children receiving the Fry Scholarship are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Chapter 35: Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

This program provides up to 45 months of education benefits for surviving spouses and children of veterans who suffered a service-connected death, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or are 100 percent permanently disabled due to a service-connected cause.

Required Forms:

Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

This program provides benefits for current members of the Reserve or National Guard who enlisted, re-enlisted or extended their enlistment for a period of six years after July 1, 1985.

Required Forms:

Chapter 1607: Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)

This program is for members of a Reserve or National Guard component who served on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, for a minimum of 90 consecutive days. Individuals are eligible as soon as they reach the 90-day point, regardless of whether they continue to serve on active duty. Members who are released from active duty before completing 90 consecutive days due to an injury, illness or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty are also eligible.

Required Forms:

Certified copies of DD forms 214 and 2384-1 can be obtained from the Seminole County Veterans' Services Office, located at 534 W. Lake Mary Blvd. in Sanford.